WaterPlus requests public workshop on Cal Am takeover

A group pushing a public purchase of California American Water's local system has formally asked the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District board to conduct a public workshop on the proposal.

WaterPlus, a group of prominent local residents led by activist Ron Weitzman, proposed the Cal Am purchase last year and argued it could cut costs while offering more local control of the water system. The group has since sought support from area governments and indicated it might back a petition aimed at creating a water district to pursue the purchase bid.

After months of discussions between Weitzman and water board chairman Bob Brower, the group sent an open letter to the board last week and presented the board late Monday with a petition requesting the workshop.

The petition, said Weitzman, included 74 signatures from residents of the Del Mesa Carmel neighborhood.

In his letter, Weitzman said he had made "a number of requests" to Brower to schedule the public workshop, without success, so he was submitting the request to the "entire board." He suggested there were indications of support on the water board for conducting the workshop.

Weitzman said the board didn't respond to the petition, but he is expecting a response.

Water district general manager Darby Fuerst confirmed the petition was received late Monday under oral communications, which doesn't require a response from the board. Fuerst said he, Brower and vice chairman Dave Potter are set to meet today to set the agenda for the board's next public session July 18, which could include a formal response to the WaterPlus request. He said the board could send a formal response to the group.

Meanwhile, the district board will meet in closed session to discuss compensation for a general manager to replace Fuerst, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

Fuerst said the board has completed final interviews and identified a top candidate for the position, setting the stage for contract negotiations. Five people were interviewed out of 58 applicants for the position.

Fuerst said a new general manager should be in place by the end of July, when he expects to leave his post.